Northern College students back to class

BRAD SHERRATT - Northern News
Northern College SASS Advisor Janice Ranger and Student Association President Courtney Bremner show off some of the kits that were provided to the first years students during orientation.KL

Students at the Kirkland Lake Campus of Northern College are back in class and Campus Manager Allan French is looking forward to the year. “We had a really engaging orientation. The students are really excited to be here and the experienced staff we have were able to provide the excellent services to them. Everybody was chomping at the bit to get back to it.” In terms of demographics French points out they are still accepting registrations therefore those statistics are still fluid at this point but he expects the numbers to be similar to last year. French adds they also have a great student association. “The last couple of years we have been really fortunate to have some really good students that have took the bull by the horns and with the guidance of our support services. We certainly promote, not just the campus activities but commuinity activities for all students especially the ones that have moved to Kirkland Lake to take their studies. We want to make sure we connect them and link them to all the great things that happen in the community, whether its the arts council putting on their shows, the festivals commiitee, the Gold Miners. We work with all of our community partners to try and make sure all of our students have that great information so they can get that true northern experience. “I think our town is one of the greatest for volunteers and certainly if there is any that students have extra time and they want to participate and assist local groups we would certainly to dthat linking as well.” Student Association President Courtney Bremner says they have a number of activities coming up for the students including a Sip and Paint event Friday evening. They also held their first social of the year at The Fed. With Halloween coming up, Bremner adds they will be having halloween themed games in the student lounge. Acorss the Northern College campuses a new program called Student Academic Success Services has been developed, Janice Ranger says the program has been designed to make sure the students “have academic success and support them through workshops, events, activities that encouarge them with study tips or financial needs.” She adds mental health is a big component of the program.